JOURNAL

My favorite author is Shauna Niequist. Her best friend is another one of my favorite author's, Jen Hatmaker. All my dreams collided into one podcast a few weeks ago as Jen interviewed Shauna on her new podcast, For the Love. (Yes, I have since been informed that Shauna interviewed Jen on her podcast. I'm on it.) I've found many of my other favorite authors including Brene Brown and Ruth Reichl through Shauna.

Is anyone still following me? There's a point to this, I promise!

Shauna is my favorite because she cherishes food and the table as a binder of people, a way to make connections, an opportunity to slow down and stare at faces instead of posts or content. Every author she has pointed me to has helped me do more of that.

Ruth Reichl transported me into a world that was imperfect, but food was the constant. The way she describes food makes me want to eat a tomato sometimes, and THAT is saying something.

Brene Brown taught me so much about vulnerability, courage, and the fact that you can't have one without the other.

And now, finally, she has point me to Barbara Brown Taylor. While I have not yet read one of her books (my Amazon cart is embarrassing right now), I have been meditating on this idea from BB Taylor that Jen Hatmaker is using to fuel a question for each of her podcast guests.

What is saving your life right now?

I love this quote because it helps me to focus on the good. Even more, it helps me really hone in on specifics. If you asked, what's good in your life right now? One might say, Oh, I'm so blessed! But this question makes me think small, it helps me to ponder on what is truly keeping me afloat, helping me to uncover the person I am.

So here are a few things that are saving my life now. They may be small, but they are mighty.

Chasing Slow, by Erin Loechner: I know, I'm beating a dead horse. This book is food for my soul. Erin Loechner is famous in the blogging and styling world, and this is her journey from the crazy jungle of Los Angeles, to a slower pace of life. My favorite thing about this book is that the change doesn't happen all at once. I also love that it's helping me get rid of things. I'm realizing that more is not what I need, but less. Less is more in so many ways, and I'm practicing saying "no" and hoping my friends will stick around even when I tell them I need to stay home on a Saturday.

Prayer Journal, by Val Marie Paper: I've recommended this journal to so many friends since I got it. I know Lindsay bought one, but who else?! The thing I've noticed about my prayer life since starting this journal was that it was all about me, right this second, wanting immediate relief. This is helping me to pray more specifically, wider, and deeper. I also love that it's documentation for future answered prayers! (I know the shop is closed right now, but preorders are happening in August and restock in September!)

Doing CrossFit with Presley: After a few years off, I finally made it back to CrossFit! It has been an absolute blast to do this with Pres, and watch him get so excited about the whole thing. It's so cool that we get to look forward to seeing each other for a workout at the end of the day.

Countertop installation scheduled: You guys. On Friday, we are getting countertops! You know what that means, right? OUR KITCHEN WILL BE DONE! Ha. Just kidding. Not even close. But that means I can at least meal prep for the start of school and not die of shallow-sink-itis or yellow-countertop-phobia. I'm pumped.

So, what is saving your life right now?

In case you didn't know, there are about a million ways to get in touch with me. Which is the best? Instagram, of course! It is my platform of choice. However, if you want to get in contact for something more specific, feel free to send me a message through my contact page. Also, feel free to comment on this blog post so others feel free to share their thoughts, too!